Damned to the depths whatever muttonhead thought of disclaimers – grrr!
Thank you for your reviews. Don't worry the sex is coming up soon I promise!
Special thanks to Linnie and Hils – don't worry Hilary, he'll be back at school soon!
…
Chapter Four: 'Just what d'ya think yer doin' luv?'
'Sail ho!'
Jack whisked his spyglass from its case and scanned the horizon, cursing out loud when he saw not one, but two ships heading for them. 'Bleedin' hell Gibbs, it's th'Navy and Button.'
'Aye, well you do have something belonging to both of 'em, Jack. The coin and the lass,' Gibbs replied to Jack's puzzled frown.
'Ah yes, the lass. Got more bloody fight in 'er than I anticipated,' Jack grinned, winking at his quartermaster. He looked again at the two ships and sighed deeply.
'Jack, Button's veering off, y'reckon he's giving up th'chase?' Gibbs watched the privateer's ship closely.
'He wouldn't give up that easily. Bloody hell, the bastard's cutting off our route to Tortuga,' Jack cursed, kicking the mizzenmast hard. 'We'll have ter outrun them an' see where we end up.'
'Aye Cap'n, see where we end up.' Joshamee Gibbs turned, barking orders as he did, leaving his captain watching the ships closely.
…
Jenny fought down the nausea and pressed her eye to the small crack in the ship's hull where she could watch the waves crash against the side of the ship which was her prison. She had been there for two days and her only company, if you could call it that, being the man who brought her food and water. It was dark, cold, damp and quiet. The only sound was that of the rats squeaking as they scurried along, looking for food. She huddled in the corner of the cell, trying to stay warm and keep her spirits up, but not really succeeding in doing either.
Jenny jumped to her feet at the sound of someone approaching. She knew it was not food as she had eaten not long ago, so she put on a determined face and stood at the bars, waiting for her visitor to appear. She was not surprised to see it was Jack who sauntered along, swinging the keys to the brig on his finger.
'Are ya goin' to behave now Jenny?' His voice was heavy with sarcasm. 'Cos if yer don't, you'll be spending the whole voyage down here, savvy?'
'Do I have a choice?' Jenny glared at Jack, her anger rising rapidly. 'And how do you know my name?'
'Never mind that luv. 'Course ya have a choice. Ya can behave and have th'freedom o'me ship, or ya can misbehave an' spend th'voyage down here.' Jack sprung the door open and stood in the doorway watching his prisoner closely, then moved back slightly after Jenny nodded and walked towards the door, patting her bottom as she stepped out of the cell. Jenny turned and glowered at him, a retort only held on her lips by the sight of Jack swinging the keys again.
'Ah, ah, you promised to be a good girl,' Jack grinned wickedly at Jenny. 'I'll bet you're always a good girl, eh Jen?' She found it hard to keep her temper in check, and stomped off towards the steps leading away from the brig, climbing them hurriedly for she did not want Jack behind her in such close proximity. Jack still caught up and pushed past her, pressing against her body as he did, then led the way to his cabin and closed the door firmly behind him. Jenny suppressed a shudder and turned to face the pirate, narrowing her eyes to slits.
'Well?' She folded her arms, trying to create a barrier between them.
Jack pulled a chair out for Jenny to sit on and offered her some rum, which she declined then he fished about in an inside pocket of his coat and brought out the two coin halves which he put on the table in front of her. 'So, translate luv.' He sat opposite her and took the chance to study her while she concentrated on the inscription, smiling to himself as the sight pleased him.
Jenny leaned forward, studied the inscription, then sat back looking scornfully at Jack. 'Really Mr. Sparrow, I'd have thought a man as well travelled as you would be able to understand what this says.'
'I can speak the lingo well enough, but have a little trouble with reading it, 'specially with all those funny squiggly things, and it's Captain Sparrow, if yer don't mind. So, what does it say?'
'Encuentre mil vírgenes y entre la boca del hombre de Magellanes. Find a thousand virgins, then enter the mouth of the man of Magellanes.' Jenny turned over the coin, to see if there was anything on the back, finding only the letters EB.
'Right, so what does it mean?' Jack leaned over Jenny, picking the pieces up and frowning at them.
'Well how the hell should I know? I thought looking for lost treasure was your forte Captain Sparrow,' Jenny spat, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
'There's no need to get narky with me luv,' Jack pouted. 'Hmmm… a thousand virgins?' Jack grabbed a handful of rolled up charts and spread them across the table, pinning them down with some large stones and a bottle of rum. Jenny watched as Jack scoured the maps and even found herself peeking at them every now and then as her curiosity started to get the better of her. Then she stood and looked directly at the maps, but tried to keep her distance from the pirate, since it seemed that he had forgotten that she was there.
Jenny began to feel uneasy as the night drew in, wondering where she was going to sleep. She did not like being alone with this man, especially given the amount of rum he was drinking. Her eyes lit up and she smiled inwardly, then fetched another bottle of rum from a chest she had seen Jack get some from earlier.
'Here, have some more, it might help you concentrate better.' She pressed the full bottle into Jack's hand, feeling very pleased with herself when he downed almost half of it in one go. 'You can certainly hold your drink well Captain,' she flattered, smiling coyly at him.
Jack looked at her suspiciously, wondering why her attitude had changed so suddenly, but the rum had started to work on him, so he shrugged and smiled his most charming (or so he thought) smile at her. 'You're so right Jenny, it takes a real man to drink as much as I do,' Jack slurred, putting his arm around her waist and staggering over to the bunk, managing eventually to climb on it.
Jenny wrinkled her nose in distaste as Jack's rum fuelled breath threatened to overcome her and she sat as far from the pirate as she could manage, smiling weakly.
'Here's to a thousand virgins, Jenny Samuels!' Jack swung the bottle high in the air then finished the rest of the bottle off, eyes widening as the rum went down. 'Eh, yer not a virgin, are ya?' He cocked his head slightly to look at her, frowning at the thought. 'Nah course yer not, ya've been married.'
Jenny jumped off the bunk, 'Some more Captain?' She fetched another bottle and opened it for him.
'Why not luv, why not?' Jack managed to get through half the bottle before he passed out, the bottle falling from his hand onto the floor, spilling its contents out before Jenny righted it. She grabbed his legs and swung him onto the bunk, then turned and looked around the spacious cabin, taking in the rather luxurious furnishings, at odds with the scruffy appearance of its occupant. Velvet drapes hung from the windows and also from the rail sectioning the bunk from the rest of the cabin, small oil paintings adorned the walls, and the heavy table and chairs in the centre of the cabin were made from good quality oak. Jenny wandered to various chests and pulled them open to see what was inside. Her eyes widened in amazement as she opened one chest to find it crammed full of books that had obviously been well read. She picked a couple out, went to the bunk and pulled some blankets off Jack then settled herself into his big chair by the table and read well into the night by the lamplight until her eyes drooped closed.
…
Jenny woke long before Jack did and after brushing her dress down, trying to rid it of creases, she took the liberty of going on deck, an action which drew some curious glances from the crew.
'What y'doing here Miss?' Jenny turned to see the portly man from the docks.
'The Captain says I'm allowed my freedom, besides I get ill if I stay below for any amount of time.' Jenny looked the man square in the face, daring him to challenge her.
'Yes, well, you make sure you stay out of our way.' He shot Jenny a look and walked away muttering about women at sea under his breath.
Jenny stood for a while looking out at the two ships in the distance, wondering when she would see James and the children again, if she ever would. Tears sprang to her eyes and she fought hard to keep them at bay, determined not to break down in front of the fearsome looking men. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt warm, soft lips brush against her shoulder.
'How dare you!' Jenny went to slap Jack's face, but slapped air instead as he anticipated the move and stepped back, grinning at her.
'An' a good mornin' to you too luv. Did you sleep well? Did we erm.....' Jack pointed to Jenny then himself, with a hopeful look in his eyes.
'No we bloody well did not! You were too drunk to do anything anyway.' Jenny scowled at him, turning away to look at the sea again.
Jack stood behind her. 'Aw, ya sound disappointed Jenny,' he whispered, nuzzling her ear. 'Never mind, I promise not to drink so much tonight, can't have me guest of honour upset now can I?' Jack placed his hands on Jenny's rump and squeezed, his tongue flicking her ear lobe.
Jenny pushed Jack roughly away, eyes flashing with anger. 'I would not want you if you were the last man on earth. You're not fit to lick James' boots.' She went to push past Jack but was stopped by a restraining arm that pushed her against the side of the ship. Jack pinned her arms to her sides, thus making it impossible to move.
'Now luv, that ain't nice, you'll like me once ya get to know me.' Jack brushed his lips against hers, gently nibbling on her lower lip but pulling away before she could bite him. The more Jenny struggled to get away the more Jack pressed against her, moaning in her ear. 'Don't forget luv, ya promised to be nice. The nicer ya are to me, the nicer I'll be to ye, savvy?' Jenny let out the breath she had not been aware she was holding as Jack let her go and turned away. Before Jenny had chance to think of the foolishness of her actions, she grabbed a sword out of the sheath of a nearby pirate and jabbed the point in Jack's back.
Jack turned slowly around, hands spread out. 'Just what d'ya think yer doin' luv? D'ya think this is wise?' Jenny jabbed the point once more at him. 'Right, you've gone too far this time.' Quick as a flash, Jack had his sword in his hand and parried. The swords clashed together again as Jenny moved backwards, then she lunged forwards, thrusting the blade towards Jack, making him dodge out of the way. 'Where the hell d'ya learn to sword fight?' Jack blocked again then leaped forward himself, waving his free arm about theatrically behind him, and grinning as he snagged Jenny's sleeve without cutting her. 'Good, aren't I luv?'
'I was taught in secret by my five brothers who are all good to excellent swordsmen, and you are quite good I suppose.' Jenny dodged around the mast, blocking Jack's sword as it swung around.
'Why in secret?' Jack's grin broadened as he really started to enjoy the contest.
'My father would not have approved. Not that it is any of your concern.'
'Touche.'
The duel went on for a few more minutes until Jenny's arm started to ache, the sword getting heavier and heavier. She tried to lunge for Jack once more, but he was too quick and slapped the flat of his blade on Jenny's hand, causing her to drop the sword.
Jack sheathed his sword and applauded. 'Well done Jenny Samuels, yer the best swordswoman I've ever known.' He turned his back and went to make for the helm, stopping dead when he felt a sword point in his back again. 'Bloody 'ell luv, don't yer know when yer beat?'
'I did not yield Jack Sparrow. You haven't beaten me until I yield.'
Jack sighed theatrically, he hated stubborn women. 'All right luv, ya want a fight, ya got one.' He proceeded to take off his coat and hat and handed them to Gibbs, standing amongst the rest of the crew, fascinated by this unlikely duel. Drawing his sword once more, he moved forward, while clashing his blade hard against Jenny's, giving no quarter and fighting as hard as he would a man, until Jenny was nearly collapsing with exhaustion. She dropped her sword and bent quickly to pick it up, but was not quick enough. Jenny winced as she felt the tip of Jack's sword press against her neck. 'D'ya yield now luv?' His voice was hard and angry.
'Yes I yield,' Jenny's replied weakly, trying to stand straight.
'Take her to the brig.' Jack called as he took up position at the helm, checking his bearings.
'Why?' The tears in Jenny's voice were plain for all to hear.
'Nobody draws a sword on me luv, especially not on my ship. Now down to the brig with ya to cool off. No touching her, savvy?' Jack shot the men taking Jenny to the brig a warning glance.
The men carried her back down to the brig and shoved her none to gently into the cell, chuckling as she stumbled and fell on the floor, before they turned and left her. Once Jenny knew she was alone she crawled onto the cot and cried like she had not done since Eddie died.
…
'Gibbs, what be th'positions of th'ships?' Jack's face was still dark with anger at Jenny.
'Holding steady sir, they're not gainin' but we're not losing 'em either.'
'Bugger. We'll head fer Leeward Isles, see if we can lose 'em there. We've got th'advantage of havin' some supplies on board, I'll wager they haven't.'
'Highly unlikely Cap'n. Leeward Isles it is.'